Questions & Answers

We have noticed, for the second year in a row, that many of our snowdrops are covered with a nasty grey mould as they sprout up from the ground. We wondered if it is anything to do with the atrocious winter and if there is any kind of treatment we can give them?

Grey mould in snowdrops is an infection or disease caused by the fungus, Botrytis galanthina, which causes leaves and flowers to collapse. The grey mould forms under wet conditions. The fungus attacks only Galanthus spp and is most severe on G nivalis. Surprisingly, it is worse in mild winters when the mould is particularly noticeable.

The infection can spread to the bulbs, which rot, and small black seed-like structures (sclerotia) can be found on their surface.

These sclerotia can contaminate the soil, so it's best to remove affected bulbs and destroy them.

Do not plant new snowdrops where the disease has occurred previously.

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